Boy, 5, clings to life after allegedly beaten with metal pole in Cabramatta
A mother and her young boyfriend have been charged over the alleged beating of a five-year-old boy with a metal pole and stick that has left him on life support. The boy was found with critical injuries on Friday night in Cabramatta.
Police & Courts
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A five-year-old Sydney boy was on life support on Saturday after sustaining horrific injuries when disciplinary “smacking” allegedly escalated to a sickening assault with a metal pole and a stick, a court heard.
The child’s mother, 31, and her 20-year-old boyfriend have been arrested and charged over the alleged beating inside their home in Cabramatta.
Parramatta Bail Court heard a neighbour raised the alarm on Friday night.
Police prosecutor Brooke Lotley told the court the child received a life threatening brain injury after being assaulted with a pole and a stick at his home about 9.50pm on Friday.
Emergency services arrived and rushed the little boy to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
The list of injuries rattled not only medical staff, but those investigating the alleged abuse.
It is alleged he suffered significant brain injury, marks like cigarette burns over his chest and legs, and splinters in his feet and bottom.
The mother was charged with not providing for the child, and cause danger of serious injury.
The man was charged with wound with intent to cause previous bodily harm.
The Sunday Telegraph understands the child’s mother, 31, and 20-year-old boyfriend have only been in a relationship for a month.
The man made a failed attempt for bail on Saturday with Magistrate Peter Miszalski refusing to release him for the child’s protection.
The man’s lawyer Dominic Gleeson told the court his client would live in Yagoona and not visit Cabramatta, the woman or the alleged victim.
Ms Gleeson said if the matter would proceed to trial, his 20-year-old client would be in custody for a number of months.
He could report to police daily and had a close network of friends, he submitted.
In refusing bail, Mr Miszalski said “what started off smacking the victim to discipline, ended with the victim being severely injured”.
“I have seen the photos. They are very disturbing,” he said.
Mr Miszalski said the case was so strong he “couldn‘t see anything other than a full length term of imprisonment”.
The mother did not apply for bail and both cases were adjourned to Liverpool Local Court on September 1.
An apprehended violence order was also granted to protect the child.
In an unusual public statement, Sydney neurosurgeon Adam Fowler, who works at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, tweeted about one admission overnight that made him sob.
“The worst case of suspected child beating I’ve ever seen in my professional career. One that made me physically sob whilst examining. I can’t even right now…,” he posted to Twitter.
The tweet had been removed by Saturday night.